how to format windows xp

To install or reinstall Windows if you have the Windows CD, insert it into the CD drive and restart the PC. The CD should autorun and there will be a menu. You should be able to choose between Repair or Install. Choose Install (which will completely format your hard disk). There are a number of things you should do BEFORE you reinstall Windows. 1) Back up any data which you want to keep. 2) Make sure that you have the disks/installation software for any programs and drivers which you had previously or which relate to any hardware you have. 3) If you own licences to any software (including Windows), make sure that you have the key codes. Once you are ready, the installation process is very simple and just involves selecting menu options. Once your installation is finished, you should immediately go to the Microsoft Update site and apply all the essential updates. How long this will take depends on the version of Windows and the Service Packs supplied on the installation disk. It may involve several hours and several restarts of the PC to bring it up to date. When you have finished the Windows update, you should install your Antivirus program and, ideally, a Firewall. You can then reinstall any missing drivers, reinstall any software that you need and restore your data from backup. If you don't have any Windows disk (but have a valid Windows license), the full Windows installation may be stored on a hidden partition of your PC. Access to this is usually from a menu item in the Start Menu and you should already have made a repair disk so that Windows can be repaired/restored if it is corrupted and the machine will not boot. Without this repair disk (which is NOT usually supplied with the machine but is left to the user to make), you will be pretty well stuck. Often the simplest solution is to buy a new copy of Windows!

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